On life's trail, Conn left his mark

SILVER CITY - Veteran journalist Sam Conn, whose colorful prose and persona helped define his "cowboy reporter" image known by many, died Saturday in Silver City after a long illness. He was 47.

"Sam passed away peacefully, with his long-time partner and friend Adrian Silva at his side," said Sherry Tippet, Conn's attorney and the executor of his estate.

During his two stints with the Silver City Sun-News, Conn touched many lives with his stories, according to those closest to him.

Stephen Siegfried was the lead reporter for the Silver City Daily Press several years ago, when Conn was first reporting for the Sun-News. The two often ran into each other while on assignment.

"Sam wanted to do what was right by the community," Siegfried said. "He was a journalist who really cared about the community and he wanted it to be informed and wanted to correct things that were wrong."

Many in the community remember him as a dogged, honest reporter, who often became friends with his contacts, but never sacrificed the news.

"I've known Sam for a quite a few years," said Silver City Police Chief Ed Reynolds. "We became not only business contacts but friends. Sam was a really good guy. He was a great reporter, in my opinion. He was very conscientious. I had a blast talking to him about his adventures and digging up stories.

"It's a shock that he ended up passing at such a young age."

Silver City Town Manager Alex Brown described Conn as "an honest and upstanding reporter," who would be missed.

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Silver City Mayor James Marshall said he not only respected Conn as a reporter, but also developed a friendship with him.

"Even though we developed a friendship, he always held me accountable to my actions in his reports. Without a doubt, I know accuracy and ethical reporting were the strong foundation on which this reporter based his career," Marshall said. "Many times politicians see reporters as adversaries. To get along with Sam all you needed to do was maintain transparency in government and not try to avoid his tough questions.

During his illness, Conn never lost his sense of humor, Marshall said.

"Much of that I can't repeat, but take my word for it, he never lacked in the ability to create laughter," Marshall said. "Sam, you earned my respect and for that I will never forget you, Happy Trails Mr. Cowboy Reporter, rest in peace. You will be missed as a friend and reporter."

Conn's stories had an impact on community members and those he wrote about, especially his weekly feature, "On the Trail," which focused on the colorful people and places that make the region unique.

"He inspired the heritage and preservation of the Old West and was a friend to all," said Tom Johnson of the Palace Hotel, who designed the "On the Trail" stickers for Conn's mobile reporting trailer.

To those he worked with, Conn was remembered as a solid reporter with a passion for all things Western.

"Sam touched many people in this community and beyond with his personality and his 'On the Trail' series, which was very popular with our readers," said Wayne Barnard, Silver City Sun-News general manager. "He will be missed."

Levi Hill, who was the Sun-News bureau chief from 2006 through 2008, said he encouraged the newspaper to hire Sam when he was leaving his job in television.

"I think TV was his first love, writing probably was his second," Hill said. "When he left his job in TV he told me he loved Silver and he missed it when he was gone and that's where he wanted to be. I think that the number of people who knew him and have commented on his Facebook page shows that he really did imbue himself with the community during his time with the Sun-News."

"As a reporter he was never afraid to find the truth and report it," said former Bureau Chief Holly Wise. "One of the biggest things he taught me was trust your gut, investigate, and never back down from the truth. His influence over me as a journalist will definitely last my entire lifetime."

"He called himself a simple cowboy but he was much more," Severe said. "He was the cowboy poet of old wrapped up Carhart jeans and a slightly musty smelling leather cowboy hat, hiding out in a nearly obscure corner of southwest New Mexico. He spun his stories with a passion that can only come from doing something you truly love.

"Doing 'On the Trail' with Sam was always fun. We would go to what I thought were the most obscure places and Sam would pull the most amazing story out of it (he rarely ceased to amaze).

"Sam was a voice from a bygone era who reminded his readers to stop and enjoy the simple things in life."